"Pat Johns is a ceaseless advocate of his college, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and higher education in general. He has served as a spokesperson for higher education at the Legislature and is a leader among his peers."

-James McCormick, Chancellor
of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Dr. Patrick M. Johns, President of Anoka-Ramsey Community College was named Pacesetter of the Year for 2008 by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, Sept 21. Johns has served as the college's President for 19 years, working closely with constituents from East Central Minnesota and the north-suburban areas of the Twin Cities to meet higher education needs.

His unwavering support for two-year college marketing and public relations leading to cohesive brand development at college and state levels, increased enrollments, fundraising and inclusive opportunities for constituents led the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) to name Dr. Patrick M. Johns, President of Anoka-Ramsey Community College, the District 5 Pacesetter of the Year for 2008. The Council officially presented Johns with this prestigious award during its regional conference in Duluth, Minn., Sept. 21. District 5 includes two-year colleges in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Manitoba.

The Pacesetter of the Year Award recognizes a community college president or CEO who has demonstrated special leadership and support in marketing and public relations. It is awarded annually in each of NCMPR's seven districts, and district recipients automatically become a nominee for the national award, which is presented at the national conference.

When asked, "How did you decide to become a college president," Johns says, "I saw it as a chance to influence broad, positive changes on behalf of students." This answer may be common among college presidents, however Dr. Johns has lived up to these words in an uncommon manner.

He has served as President of Anoka-Ramsey Community College for 19 years, and Minnesota college students chose Johns as "President of the Year" in Spring 2008. Students noted his efforts to keep tuition low, therefore providing access to college to so many who may not otherwise be able to afford it. In fact, Anoka-Ramsey had maintained the lowest tuition and fees in Minnesota for six years straight and enrollment has steadily increased since 1998 and totaled 36% from fall '98 to fall '08.

Johns works closely with local-area legislators and community leaders in support of Anoka-Ramsey Community College and the entire Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Throughout the school year, he hosts a college advisory committee as well as "Breakfasts with the President" to serve as community forums for discussion of college's strategic plan progress and future priorities. Johns also developed an annual, internal grant process for Anoka-Ramsey students, staff and faculty to propose and develop new ideas called the Strategic Initiative Proposal. Sixty-six proposals have been funded since 1999. Under his leadership, Anoka-Ramsey has added new programs to its portfolio of academic options every year since 2000.

For more information about Anoka-Ramsey Community College, visit www.AnokaRamsey.edu.

ABOUT the NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
The National Council for Marketing and Public Relations is the only organization of its kind that exclusively represents marketing and PR professionals at community and technical colleges. As one of the fastest-growing affiliates of the American Association of Community Colleges, NCMPR today has more than 1,500 members from nearly 600 colleges across the United States, Canada and other countries.